….Setting goals 2018

Happy 2018 to all.

We are almost done with the first month of 2018……and I am not sure if I am relieved or terrified. I’m so excited about this year. Some big celebrations coming up (Hubby is turning 4-0!), hopefully launching a new business and completing the book I’ve been working on.

I deliberately took time of in January to sit back and reflect on 2017. I had so many dreams, but never did anything about them. I soon realized that a goal without a plan is just a dream. This year will be different. I set goals in 4 areas of my life – family, growth, health and work (business). To ensure I meet my year goals, I set smaller goals for each month.

First book for 2018

2018 Goals

So what do you want to achieve in 2018? It’s great that you have an end goal in mind, but have you thought about the how, what, when and why? For it to be a valuable goal, you need to expand on what you want. You need to be specific.

Write down the answers to these questions to help you set that goals:

How much do you want it?

How will you achieve it and what steps do you need to take?

What will you do differently this time?

When do you want to achieve this by?

Why are you doing this?

What will achieving this goals mean for you?

How will you measure your success?

I read this very scary fact – only 8 % of people who set goals actually achieve them. So why do you even take the time to set these goals if you have no intention of actually achieving them.

I discover 5 easy steps, that can assist you with not only setting goals, but reaching each one.

1. Goal setting is SMART

Set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. This is the core strategy of goal-setting and can be used by anyone to achieve their goals. If you have a weight loss goal – Be specific about your weight loss plan, measure your progress, know what you want to achieve, make it relevant to you and your circumstances, and set a realistic but finite time-line.

2. Measure + Milestones = Motivation

Measuring your milestones is the foundation of motivation, particularly when you can celebrate the wins. Keep a journal or diary to log both the good days and bad days of your journey. It allows you to reflect back on how you overcame the difficulties or stuck to your plans.

3. Don’t walk the path alone

Accountability is so important. Set up your own support team. Find a coach for your business or weight loss journey. People tend to be scared to share their imperfections with others for fear of judgement. That needs to change. It’s a support structure that’s critical to ensure you stay on track and reach your goal.

4. No time, no excuse

It’s the oldest excuse in the book. It’s the greatest risk of failure. “I don’t have time.” I don’t have time to make healthy food. I don’t have time to go to gym. I don’t have time to make a schedule. Make time. Even if it’s the quick preparation of one healthy meal a day or the commitment to 10 minutes of a YouTube-based exercise routine.

5. Aim for better, not perfect

For years you may have failed to lose weight because when you slipped up, and you just kept slipping. You eat half a slab of chocolate and you think, “that’s it! I’ll never reach my goals, let me just finish the slab, I’ve already failed”. I always advise my clients to take it one meal at a time. If you slip, that’s ok, just get back on plan immediately. The same goes for any other goals.

It is never to late to set goals – weekly, monthly and long-term. But make sure that each goal is linked to an action plan to make sure you work towards them.

For more inspiration in your healthy living journey, join our Facebook group: 4-the-love-of